Chiang Mai Yi Peng Lantern Festival 2026: Tickets Now on Sale — 4 Venues Compared
チェンマイ坂田
“I want to see the lantern festival! But which venue should I choose??”
It's the question everyone planning a Yi Peng trip ends up asking.
As someone who runs a travel company in Chiang Mai — and even served as emcee at one of the lantern venues last year — I’ve put all the answers together in this article!
Ticket reservations are open now!
目次
Yi Peng Lantern Festival Basics
What is the Yi Peng lantern festival?
The Yi Peng lantern festival is a Buddhist celebration of northern Thailand’s Lanna region — a “festival of light” held on the full moon of the second month of the Lanna calendar.
It overlaps with Loy Krathong, celebrated across Thailand by floating baskets of light on rivers and ponds — so Chiang Mai becomes a threefold world of light: khom loi sky lanterns in the sky, krathong on the water, and Lanna lanterns glowing through the streets.
Originally a rite for releasing bad luck and praying for good fortune and protection, it is now a major event drawing travelers from all over the world.
For more details, see this article too 👇
ManiTabi 
When is it in 2026?
The dates shift every year with the Lanna calendar; in 2026, the main Yi Peng nights are scheduled for Tuesday, November 24 and Wednesday, November 25.
Do I really need a reservation?
Launching lanterns in central Chiang Mai or near the airport is strictly restricted by law. Release one outside the designated zones and you risk severe penalties — up to 5 years in prison or a fine of up to 200,000 baht.
The Thai government is also cracking down hard on unauthorized lantern releases over environmental impact, wildfire risk, and aviation safety.
To enjoy the lanterns safely, you must buy a ticket to one of the licensed large-scale venues.
The 4 Lantern Venues at a Glance
For 2026, these are the four popular venues near Chiang Mai that are easiest for overseas visitors to join.
- Royal Chiang Mai Golf Club：Chiang Mai Sky Lantern Festival
- Mae Jo University：Yee Peng Lanna International 2026
- CADCultural Center：Chiang Mai CAD Yi Peng Khomloy Sky Lantern Festival 2026
- Gassan Panorama Golf Course：Yeepeng Lanna Festival
Here's how the four venues compare.
■ Quick Comparison of the 4 Venues (2026 outlook)
| Venue | Why we recommend it | Price guide (1 adult, with transfer) |
| Royal Chiang Mai Golf Club | A reassuring crowd with many Japanese guests Well-synchronized mass lantern release Tasty food and clean restrooms | Standard: approx. 5,000B VIP: approx. 7,000B |
| Mae Jo University | Lantern reflections on the water of unmatched beauty A solemn, spiritual atmosphere | Standard: 5,000B Premium: 6,500B |
| CADCultural Center | The largest crowd of all — an overwhelming mass of lanterns | Standard: 4,900B VIP: 6,500THB Elite: 15,900B |
| Gassan Panorama Golf Course | A homey, welcoming atmosphere Tasty food | From 4,500THB (TBC) |
Venue-by-Venue Guide
1. Royal Chiang Mai Golf Club
◆ Venue Basics
- Official name: Chiang Mai Sky Lantern Festival 2026 at The Royal Chiangmai Golf Club
- Location: The Royal Chiangmai Golf Club (about 40-50 minutes by car from central Chiang Mai)
Stages and food stalls line the golf club's vast lawns, and traditional dance, music, and fire shows run from evening into the night.(Thongthintour - ท้องถิ่นทัวร์)
◆ Ticket Prices
[Adults]
- VIP seat + transfer (6,949THB）
- VIP seat (6,499THB）
- Standard seat + transfer (4,949THB）
- Standard seat (4,499THB）
[Children]
- VIP seat + transfer (5,449THB）
- VIP seat (4,999THB）
- Standard seat + transfer (2,949THB）
- Standard seat (2,499THB）
◆ Atmosphere & Program
- Around 80-90% of guests are Japanese, with thorough announcements and guidance in Japanese
- With so many participants following the same cues, the mass release is beautifully synchronized
- Dinner is a buffet of northern-Thai and Thai dishes — genuinely tasty.
◆ Best for
- First-timers who want a safe, reassuring lantern-release experience
- Groups of friends and families who value Japanese-language support
2. Mae Jo University
◆ Venue Basics
- Official name: Yee Peng Lanna International 2026 – Mae Jo, Sansai
- Venue: Tudongkhasathan Lanna（Lanna Dhutanga）
The planned schedule is as follows.
- From evening: Lanna culture exhibits and a light buffet
- From 18:00: Buddhist rites (chanting, meditation, candle procession)
- From 20:00: mass lantern release
◆ Ticket Prices
- Standard: 5,000B (transfer + English-speaking guide + 1 lantern + buffet included)
- Premium: 6,500B (front seating + everything above)
◆ Atmosphere & Features
- A “quiet” venue centered on Buddhist ritual
- You join the monks' chanting, meditation, and candle procession, then everyone releases their lanterns together
- Strict rules: no alcohol, no drones, and children under 12 not admitted
[Unmatched photo opportunities]
- You can capture lanterns reflected on the water — an overwhelming advantage no other venue offers.
[Rich local experiences in the waiting area]
- Dress up in Long-Neck Karen costume for souvenir photos.
- Watch powerful traditional dance performances.
- Try local foods such as sticky rice roasted in bamboo.
◆ Best for
- Those who want to photograph lanterns mirrored on the water
- Those who value the spiritual side: Buddhist rites, meditation, and prayer
3. CADCultural Center
◆ Venue Basics
- Official name: Chiang Mai CAD Yi Peng Khomloy Sky Lantern Festival 2026
- Location: Chiangmai CAD Cultural Center Lanna (Mae On area, about 40-50 minutes by car from the city)
◆ 2026 Ticket Prices
- Standard：4,900B
- VIP：6,500B
- Premium：7,000B
- Gold：8,900THB
- Platinum：11,900THB
- Elite：15,900B
| Seat class | Placement | View & experience | Seating | Transfer vehicle |
| Standard | Outermost ring (ground level) | A wide-angle view of a sky full of lanterns | Floor + mat + cushions | Red songthaew (shared, no A/C) |
| VIP | Outside Premium, around the middle rows (ground level) | Close to the stage, with a broad mid-row view | Bamboo chairs | Air-conditioned vehicle (shared) |
| Premium | Near the stage (ground level) | Stage action up close with an immersive atmosphere | Table + cushions | Air-conditioned vehicle (shared) |
| Gold | Middle area (tiered seating approx. 1.2 m high) | An elevated view across the grounds | Table + cushions | Air-conditioned vehicle (shared) |
| Platinum | In front of Elite (tiered seating approx. 2.5 m high) | A high, unobstructed viewpoint | Table + cushions | Air-conditioned vehicle (shared) |
| Elite | Back row (tiered seating approx. 4 m high) | The best view of all (top tier for fireworks and lanterns alike) | Table + cushions | Private air-conditioned car |
All tickets are essentially all-in-one packages covering venue entry, buffet dinner, soft drinks, the mass lantern release, and a krathong-floating experience.
Transfers to the venue depend on your ticket grade, as follows.
🚌 Gold、Premium、VIP、Standard Ticket
meeting point: Chiang Mai International Exhibition and Convention Centre（Chiang Mai International Exhibition and Convention Centre）
Exact spot: Entrance 4 or Entrance 5
🚌 Elite、Platinum Ticket
meeting point: MAYA Shopping mall（Maya Shopping Mall）
Exact spot: Fountain area（Fountain area）
◆ Atmosphere & Program
CADThe venue features:
- Traditional dance and music shows on a large stage
- Northern-Thai buffet
- Mass lantern release
- Krathong floating
- Fireworks and light displays
◆ Best for
- Anyone who wants the most spectacular mass release possible
- Couples and groups of friends who want plenty of photos and videos
Ticket availability as of June 8, 2026 is as follows.
【Nov 24】
❌ Standard = Sold out
✅ VIP = 10 left
❌ Premium = Sold out
✅ Gold = Only 2 left
✅ Platinum = 8 left
✅ Elite = 5 left
【Nov 25】
✅ Standard = Only 2 left
✅ V.I.P = Only 15 left
✅ Premium
❌ Gold = Sold out (full)
✅ Platinum = 10 left
✅ Elite = 6 left
4. Gassan Panorama Golf Course
◆ Venue Basics
- Venue: Gassan Panorama Golf Club (Lamphun province, about 45-60 minutes by car from Chiang Mai)
- Last year: held on November 5-6, 2025
- Theme: a colorful concept that changes every year, e.g. “Temple Fun Fair”
◆ Ticket Prices
[Adults]
- Premium 6,500THB
- V.I.P. 5,500THB
- Standard 4,500THB
[Children]
- Standard 2,250 THB
- VIP 2,750 THB
- Premium 3,250 THB
◆ Atmosphere
- Cultural shows
- Northern-Thai buffet
- Mass lantern release
— these are all part of the program.
◆ Atmosphere & Features
- Compared with CAD and Royal, this venue has a stronger “theme park + festival” feel
- Plenty of northern-Thai stage shows — lively and photogenic
- In some years there are also DIY workshops and a fairground-like atmosphere beyond the lantern release
This is the venue where I had the honor of serving as emcee.
What to Wear, Bring, and Watch Out For
Clothing
At venues that include Buddhist rites, modest dress is recommended.
- Clothes that cover shoulders and knees
- White or subdued colors; Lanna dress is encouraged
- No sleeveless tops, short shorts, or revealing outfits
- Dry-season nights can get a little chilly, so a light layer is reassuring.
What to Bring
- Comfortable sandals or sneakers
- Wet wipes
- Power bank
- Right after the rainy season, bring a folding umbrella or raincoat (some venues ban umbrellas)
- A copy or photo of your passport
Etiquette & Safety
- Many venues ban alcohol (Mae Jo among them) — check in advance
- When lighting your lantern, watch carefully for people around you, children, hair, and clothing
- Never launch lanterns in unauthorized areas
Ticket Reservations Now Open
For the 2026 festival, ManiTabi — a local travel company in Chiang Mai — arranges tickets and transfer-included plans for all four venues covered in this article.
- Royal Chiang Mai Golf Club
- Mae Jo University (Yee Peng Lanna International)
- CADCultural Center
- Gassan Panorama Golf Course
For any other questions, feel free to contact us on WhatsApp.
For our other tours, see 👇 below!
＜Day trip - 1 night＞
【少数民族ツアー】自然と共生するカレン族の暮らし体験
チェンマイの自然豊かなカレン族の村で、少数民族の伝統的な暮らしや自然を感じるツアー。料理からハーバルサウナ、染色体験も楽しめます！
＜1-2 nights＞
